Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Cast Iron tub... who can I call to remove it?

Hello there...

We're about to take a sledge hammer to our cast iron tub this weekend but I wanted to investigate one other avenue first.
On this and similar boards, I offen see reference to 'calling someone who will pick up the tub and possibly even remove it for free'. This is usually mentioned AFTER someone has written about their ordeal with the hammer :wall: Who are these people who will remove the tub and what approach can you take when contacting them? Is it even a viable option at this point? Will they normally NOT remove it, but simply haul off what youve already done? The tub is cast iron, but it does have chipped porcelin, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)
-Chris

A metal recyle center may come pick up the tub for free. Some areas are more green than others and have recycle centers.

The scrap value of the metal can't be more than a few dollars at most. I can't imagine anyone taking one out for free!

I used a sledge hammer to remove my tub and it wasn't much of an "ordeal." Kind've fun, actually. Just throw an old blanket or tarp over it before you whack away. Mine was on the second floor and I just threw the pieces out the window.

the only tubs I know of that folks will remove for you are the old claw foot tubs. They can be worth a good couple of bucks depending upon the condition and the market.

Other than that md2lgyk has the right idea. Be sure to cover the tub when hitting it. You can end up with shrapnel flying about.

Thanks for all the responses. I just wanted to check into it because I can't tell you how many times I read 'you should have called xxxx and they would have taken it away', but I am more than happy to let out some aggressions on the tub :-) Should the tub be detached from any wall bracings prior to the beating, or is it just a matter or disconnecting the plumbing and letting the hammer shatter/loosen the constraints?

In many areas there are people (junkers) who haul of metal junk to recycle centers. There is renewed interest in recycling metals as they are nonrenewable resources and their costs are on the rise. Of course, copper is king. Thieves rip wiring and plumbing out of new construction homes and climb poles to steal cable. The latest is to steal catalytic convertibles from parked vehicles to get a return on copper and other precious metals. A catalytic converter can get you about $100 at the recycle center or scrap yard. Metal plaques are being stolen from cemeteries. While cast iron is not as valuable as other metals, it is being recycled.

In some areas the local trash pickup will pick up large items for an extra fee or for free depending where you live.

Remove all the surrounding walls and disconnect the plumbing first. As has been said, cover the tub with an old blanket or something and whack away at it. Wear eye protection and make sure you cover anything in the bathroom that you want to salvage.:)

:coffee:
After reading all the threads on cast iron tub removal (whacking, cutting, etc.), I've placed a Craig's list add hoping that someone wants a 50's tub (good shape-but needing refinishing) and will take it off my hands.

I plan to ask my plumber to take a look at my plumbing when I get the sheetrock off the walls for the remodel - I'm wondering if a plumber would pull out the tub, particularly if he is going to install a new one. Anyone have an idea of what this might cost?

msspode, how goes the tub situation? Did you advertise it on Craig's List? Mine will be replaced within a few weeks; Bath Fitter will remove it for $650. I'd rather not pay that! Any advice?